Encapsulated Fluid Conduits for Flexible High-Pressure Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management systems in pharmaceutical and biological processes face challenges with reinforced tubing that cannot bend easily, leading to organizational complexity, significant hold-up volumes, and high costs, while unreinforced tubing fails under elevated pressures.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system using unreinforced conduits encapsulated with rigid encapsulating members, such as two-part valve bodies and jackets, to handle pressurized fluids without the need for reinforcement, allowing for flexible connections and reduced hold-up volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforced tubing is used to handle pressurized fluids, then pressure resistance is improved, but flexibility and organizational complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid transport function into two separate components: unreinforced flexible tubing for fluid conveyance and rigid encapsulating members (valve bodies, jackets) for structural support and pressure containment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid encapsulating members act as intermediary structures that surround and protect the flexible unreinforced tubing. These encapsulating members bear the mechanical stress of pressurized fluids, allowing the inner flexible tubing to maintain its bending capability while the outer structure provides the necessary strength.
2Strength
If reinforced tubing is used, then pressure handling capability is improved, but hold-up volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the structural support function (encapsulating members) from the fluid transport function (unreinforced tubing), the system enables use of smaller diameter tubing that maintains flexibility while the outer encapsulation provides the necessary pressure containment, thereby reducing hold-up volume within the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The unreinforced tubing can be made from inexpensive materials and designed as a disposable component that is replaced between batches, eliminating the need for expensive reinforced tubing while maintaining system performance. The reusable encapsulating members further reduce overall system cost.
3Ease of operation
If unreinforced tubing is used for flexibility, then ease of connection is improved, but pressure resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid encapsulating members serve as intermediary structures that transfer mechanical loads away from the flexible tubing. These encapsulating members are designed to withstand pressurized fluid conditions while allowing the inner unreinforced tubing to maintain its flexibility and ease of connection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes flexible unreinforced tubing (shell) surrounded by rigid encapsulating members. The flexible shell provides ease of connection and adaptability, while the outer rigid structure provides the necessary strength and pressure resistance, creating a composite configuration that combines advantages of both flexible and rigid systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If batch processing is used, then product versatility is improved, but cleaning and sterilization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unreinforced tubing is designed as a disposable component that is replaced between batches rather than cleaned and sterilized. This eliminates complex cleaning and sterilization procedures while maintaining the ability to switch between different products, as the entire tubing assembly can be quickly replaced without affecting the permanent system components.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating disposable tubing components from permanent system components (encapsulating members, valves, pumps), the system allows selective replacement of only the consumable parts between batches. This segmentation simplifies changeover procedures and reduces cleaning complexity compared to sterilizing entire integrated systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid management systems for handling pressurized fluid connect various subsystems or subunits without the need to use reinforced tubing. The system utilizes one or more segments of unreinforced conduit that are encapsulated at various points along a length of the segment with one or more rigid encapsulating members. The unreinforced conduit may be made a disposable element while the rigid encapsulating members may be re-used. In one aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part valve body that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. In another aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part jacket that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. The two-part valve bodies and two-part jackets may be joined at various points within the system as part of the overall flow system.